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Old 05-16-2015, 08:06 AM   #181
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Name: Mark
Trailer: EggCamper 2012 #109, by 2006 Tundra or 2014 Outback
Western Massachusetts
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Regular or Premium Gasoline?

Usually, changing to premium will not make a discernable difference. But towing, especially up grades, might be the exception. With computer controls in all vehicles now, that the driver has no control of, knock or ping are sensed by the computer and timing retarded before the driver notices. But timing retardation reduces both gas mileage and available engine power. So, towing, especially up grades will require more power, and if the engine is smaller and/or low compression, then require more retardation to prevent knock, thus lowering gas mileage also. So, in some cases premium gas, which prevents knock or ping more than regular, may allow the computer to retard in less cases, thus making for better gas mileage and more available power. (Note that although most of us have not heard knock or ping since we owned a 1980's vehicle, but often or sustained engine knock, or ping, even in a new vehicle, will usually result in internal engine damage)

2 important factors here: Gas Mileage, and Power. Is the difference in price worth the increase in gas mileage, and does the rig need more power to go up a grade. Either factor may be a reason for Premium gas. But usually premium is not needed.

YMMV--ha!
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Old 05-16-2015, 09:22 AM   #182
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Trailer: 2017 Escape 19
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Norm, here we often have just two grades of gas available, Regular (87 octane) and Premium (92 octane). When there are three grades, the mid-grade is 89 octane. We stuck with either the Regular or Premium grades so as to not add one more variable to our experiment. I too was skeptical that premium would make a difference, but the figures we got seem to bear out our friends' experience. Again I must emphasize that you need to do some calculating and pay attention to the price spread. If the premium is too much more than the regular, it doesn't make any difference in your fuel costs. Since we do most of our traveling in the West, where we always encounter high elevations and steep grades, premium makes sense for us as long as it's not more than 24 cents/gal higher than regular. As Donna says, YMMV!
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Old 05-17-2015, 09:17 PM   #183
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Cool Our results

Unfortunately, like many posts, this one has many entries off topic.

Here is our information:

2014 Subaru Outback 2.4L 4, CVT
2009 Trillium 1300 (1840#?)

2014
Towing: 23.03 mpg
Not towing: 25.43 mpg

2015
Towing: 21.68 mpg
Not towing: 26.20 mpg (note one fill)

Speed:
Towing: 55-60 mph

Towing mileage is not 100% towing. We do unhook and do some touring with the car alone, but it is the best I can do.
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Old 05-18-2015, 04:13 AM   #184
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Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
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Thank you Roger

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Old 05-19-2015, 03:57 PM   #185
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Name: Norm and Ginny
Trailer: Scamp 16
Florida
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I am turning modification control of the Trailers/Tow vehicle spreadsheet to Mike Magee.

I am changing my focus and giving this up.

Thank you for providing information, over 10,000 views have been made of this young spreadsheet.

What the spreadsheet is most missing is trailer tire information. Posting tire information would help Mike and others.

Tire size:
Load Range:
Name/manufacturer

Thanks again
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Old 05-19-2015, 05:54 PM   #186
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Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
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My thanks to Norm for all the work he's done with this spreadsheet. He's taken my idea and run excellently with it. Folks are welcome to continue posting their info here (preferred method) or PM'ing me with it (alternate method).
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Old 05-24-2015, 08:04 PM   #187
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Trailer: Scamp 13
Illinois
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Tow Vehicle and Trailer Combos

We just got back from our first trip in our Scamp 13. If you are still collecting data on this thread here is mine. - Illinois to Utah, 4574 miles, 328 gallons = 13.9 mpg, however, about 1000 miles of the above was non-towing, about 500 of which was off road, so I am guessing my towing average was around 12.7 mpg. On previous trips my calculated mpg is 16.0 mpg. Pulled it home from Minn. (850 miles) with our GMC diesel and got 15.9 mpg.

2010 F-150 SVT Raptor
5.4 V8 tuned for 91 octane gas
6 sp. auto, 4.10 gears, 35 inch tires
Scamp 13 w/o bathroom
Non-towing = 16 mpg - stay below ~70 mph
towing = 12.7 mpg - 60 -65 on secondary roads - ~70 mph on Interstates
Truck rated to tow 6000#

Replaced our tent with the Scamp, great choice we had a great time. This was our first time to stay in RV campgrounds and we really enjoyed the luxury of water, electric, stove, refrig. and A/C. Terry M.
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Old 05-24-2015, 10:12 PM   #188
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Oklahoma
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Terry, thanks. Data entered. A Raptor, you lucky guy! But they are a bit wider than a standard F150, thus more wind resistance.

Oh, and thanks to the moderators for inserting the spreadsheet link in post #1. Yippee!
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Old 05-30-2015, 06:23 PM   #189
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Name: Jack
Trailer: Casita
Florida
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My towing info: Casita and VW Jetta TDI

I tow a 17-foot Casita Deluxe with a 2006 VW Jetta TDI, 6-speed automatic. I installed a European Wesfalia hitch that replaces the rear bumper bar under the plastic bumper cover, then added a custom-made equalizing tube and 2x2 receiver. I had a shop weld the 2x2 receiver tube onto the Wesfalia ball shank, which is removable, and use an Equal-i-zer brand load distribution hitch. (The Jetta is designed to tow 3,080 lbs in Europe with the same engine and transmission but not rated for that in the US; I have a copy of the technical specs on European models.)
I have towed the Casita well over 10,000 miles, including a trip across the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. I had no problems on the 7% grades at 11,000+ feet nor on steeper grades on other mountain roads.
My average towing economy has been 25 mpg at my typical 60- 62 mph.
Driving the Jetta solo I average 34 around town and 42 on Interstates at 70+.
Towing the Casita with the Jetta has been just as relaxed and secure feeling as when towing my 25-foot Airstream with my Toyota Tundra (weight ratios are about equal in each case). In extreme conditions the Jetta often seems better controlled than the Tundra.
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Old 05-30-2015, 07:21 PM   #190
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Name: Brian
Trailer: 2015 Scamp 13 Front Washroom, Van Camper
New Brunswick
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How much does your Casita weigh..

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Old 05-30-2015, 10:29 PM   #191
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Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Past Tents" 2018 F150 Lariat 2.7L EB SuperCrew
Arkansas
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2015 Ford F150 2.7L Escoboost V6
5.5 Bed, 4x2, Supercrew
Average payload when underway: 600 lbs (including passengers)

2015 Escape 19, 3270 lbs underway (average)
Andersen Hitch

Not towing: 26.12 MPG
Towing: 16.1 MPG

Average speed not towing: 68 MPH
Average speed towing: 63 MPH
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Old 05-31-2015, 05:10 AM   #192
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Name: Jack
Trailer: Casita
Florida
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BriantB- my Casita's weight is very close to 3,000 lbs when traveling.
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Old 05-31-2015, 06:32 AM   #193
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Name: jim
Trailer: Escape 21 Nov.2016
Florida
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towing

whats the equalizer tube do you have any pictures I understand the 2by2 in receiver With the Westphalia system you take the rear plastic bumper part off the car and replace the metal strip and replace with Westphalia system right. the equalizer puts more weight on the front wheels right ? .Is this the same thing the guys up in London Ontario do with there Jetta's and Passats .
Getting 25 mpg out of a tow vehicle is remarkable there is another gentleman that uses a VW Golf with 2 litre TDI and he gets about the same mpg.
Always trying to get more mpg towing, we get 14 mpg towing a 2500lb Snoozy with a 07 Toyota Sequoia
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Old 05-31-2015, 06:41 AM   #194
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Mike,

Here's some additional info for our entry on the spread sheet.

Manf. Tow Rating = 11,800/1600 lbs
Tire Size = LT225/75R16/E 115/112Q LRE
Tire Brand = MICHELIN® XPS® Rib™

Thank you for all you do...
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Old 05-31-2015, 07:42 AM   #195
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Name: Vanessa
Trailer: UHaul
California
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This is a really useful thread that's a fun read!

1985 13' UHaul CT
1200 lbs wt (no furnace)
Carlisle ST175/80D13C

2011 Ford Escape Limited
Flex Fuel (only use 87 octane)
18-20 city mpg on 85 ethanol (never do that again)
3.1 Liter V6, 2WD
3500# tow rating
Michelin P235/70R16


14-21 mpg towing (lower mpg when headed to Tahoe or Yosemite, over 5000ft elevation)
24-26mpg hwy
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Old 05-31-2015, 08:05 AM   #196
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Trailer: Parkliner 2014
Wisconsin
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Tow Vehicle & Trailer combos - POST INFO

Final numbers after round trip from Minnesota to the Grand Canyon.
2014 3.2 liter 6cyl. 9 speed Jeep Cherokee with tow package.
2014 Parkliner with water tank full 2785 lbs loaded, 310 tongue weight
67 mph: 17.5 to 20 mpg , we did actually go as low as 16.5 going up the Rockies but I excluded the cruise down the other side as well (23.3 mpg).
29 mpg not towing...
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Old 05-31-2015, 07:19 PM   #197
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Name: Jack
Trailer: Casita
Florida
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VW Jetta load-transfer hitch

jennykatz- I would post some photos of the load-transfer bar (sq. tube) that I designed for my VW hitch, but all I see here is a "video" tool. I'll try that. Apparently this allows one file to be attached, so I'll try the photo showing how I attached the tube to the axle brackets. I am aware of the work done by Can-Am, the Airstream dealer, but did not use their design since I decided a minor rear collision could seriously affect the rear axle if I used it. So my tube bolts to brackets and also has a sleeve in the center with a shear pin so it could collapse 3 inches if struck in the rear.
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Old 06-07-2015, 05:50 AM   #198
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78 Trillium 1300 no brales pulled by :
95 Chev Lumina APV V6 3.8 motor 3spd w/OD, air suspension, tranny and power sterring cooler. towed fantastic, and body lines on trailer matched up with two tone on Mini-van
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Old 06-07-2015, 05:52 AM   #199
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Trailer: 1981 Trillium 5500
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!981 Trillium 5500, brakes, all options towed with:
95 Chev Lumina APV V6 3.8 motor 3spd w/OD, air suspension, tranny and power sterring cooler.
needed anti sway bar, not good in mountains- tended to overheat on long climbs, other than that towed well
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Old 06-07-2015, 05:54 AM   #200
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Trailer: 1981 Trillium 5500
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!981 Trillium 5500, brakes, all options towed with:
2006 GMC Envoy Denali 5.3 V8, air suspension, 4 spd auto tanny, full towing Pkg
tows great, use anti sway single bar, lots of power, hard on gas though
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